The GSA's Position on School Vouchers
As the Texas legislative session continues, lawmakers have been clear about their commitment to passing SB 2, a bill that would extend vouchers to families seeking financial assistance to send their children to private schools. Private schools across the state will have the option to accept these vouchers or opt out.
For several years, the administration and Board of Trustees at the GSA have closely followed discussions surrounding this bill, carefully considering the potential implications for our school community. While private school representatives have worked to ensure that state oversight of curriculum and policy remains separate from voucher acceptance, we must also consider what it means to be an independent school.
Unlike some private schools, the Girls' School of Austin operates without state or federal oversight. This is intentional. Our administration makes operational decisions, and our Board of Trustees ensures that we remain faithful to our mission and maintain the school’s financial health.
To preserve our independence, the GSA will NOT be accepting voucher funds for tuition payments if SB 2 is passed and signed into law. Our independent status is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of our mission and community.
At the same time, we remain dedicated to making the GSA an accessible option for families across the Austin metro area. Our Board is committed to robust tuition assistance, ensuring that financial limitations do not prevent families from joining our community. Additionally, we continue to prioritize keeping tuition competitive among Austin’s independent schools.
If you have feedback about this decision, please do not hesitate to reach out to Ms. Yacono. In addition, in the spring, we will host several Coffee and Conversation sessions, which are the perfect settings for discussing this topic together in community!
